Flown for the first time on 12 May 1958, the prototype Morane-Saulnier M.S.1500.01 Epervier (sparrow-hawk) was a two-seat cantilever low-wing monoplane, with a high glazed canopy for its two-man crew. The Epervier was initially powered with a 400 shp Turbomeca Marcadau turboprop with which it logged 29 hr in 46 flights.
It was subsequently re-powered with an 800 shp / 522kW Turbomeca Bastan IV turboprop which first flew on 7 October 1958. Its fixed conventional landing gear had cantilever main legs.
By the end of February 1959 it had flown a further 37 hr in 58 flights.
The M.S.1500 was intended to meet an official Armee de I’Air requirement for a tactical reconnaissance and counter-insurgency aircraft for service in Algeria against the nationalist forces. A second prototype was built and tested, but no production orders were received.
Engine: 1 x 522kW Turbomeca Bastan IV turboprop
Max take-off weight: 2850 kg / 6283 lb
Wingspan: 13.06 m / 42 ft 10 in
Max. speed: 315 km/h / 196 mph
All Aero 